Michael's Music Madness

Single Reviews 7/03/2012

2012-03-07T12:35:00.001-08:00

Single of the week:

Noel Gallagher feat. Amorphous Androgynous - Shoot A Hole Into The Sun

88%

Having being crowned a Godlike Genius at this week's NME Awards, Noel Gallagher shows that he is more innovative and groundbreaking than ever with his new collaboration with electronic group Amorphous Androgynous. 'Shoot A Hole Into The Sun' is a stretched out psychedelic 8 minute version of 'If I Had A Gun' from Gallagher's solo debut last year. With influences of Pink Floyd (Dark Side Of The Moon era) and The Verve (A Storm In Heaven era) and sounding like something from The Beta Band's EP, 'Shoot A Hole Into The Sun' is a compelling listen from start to end but at the same time sounds like something of a chill out compilation. Absolute stunning taster of the brilliance to come in the next 12 months from the Chief & co.

Marcus Collins - Seven Nation Army
14%

In a recent interview, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker named Seven Nation Army as the best song of the last decade and that it is the 'Smoke On The Water' was the current generation. It its the song that anyone who ever picks up a bass for the first time will try to play. So why then should this great song be allowed to be ruined by the runner up of last year's X Factor runner up. It boggles the mind that a guitar anthem would sound better as a soul-pop number with a brass section in it. It's a shame because his vocals aren't too band. Just he like a lot of the X Factor allumini, are made to murder classics. Shame.

Plan B - Ill Manors
85%

Having hit the mainstream with his 3X Platinum soul album 'The Defamation Of Strickland Banks' back in 2010, Plan B has returned to his hip-hop roots with new single Ill Manors. Have listened to the song I can say two things:
1) It's probably not suited to the fans of his previous mainstream works, and
2) This is one of the best hip-hop records of the last 20 years.
What struck me was how current and relevant the lyrics are. In Ill Manors Plan B raps about "chavs"; "illegal migrants"; "hoodies"; "council houses"; the closing down of "community centres"; "Olympic villages"; "NHS" and more. These are all hot topics of discussion in Britain today and Plan B tells it like it is for each one of them. Absolutely outstanding.

Chiddy Bang - Ray Charles
68%

Apart from having quite offensive lines towards the blind - "Yeah, hey yo I'm feelin' like Ray Charles I got my shades on, I don't know where they are" - the new single from the American Alternative hip-hop duo Chiddy Bang, is quite a catchy number with them rapping over a vintage piano riff and soulful backing singers.

will.i.am -T.H.E (The Hardest Ever) (feat. Mick Jagger & Jennifer Lopez)

Not only is the pop hook weak; annoying and repetitive, but will.i.am's vocals are as bland as they have ever been. Also Jennifer Lopez's chorus is unmemorable. But the real nail in the coffin for this song is Mick Jaggers' appalling verse at the end. To think this is the same guy who sang on 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction' does not compute in the human brain.

Brit Awards 2012: The Review

2012-02-28T13:29:00.001-08:00

My review of the 2012 Brit Award ceremony:

Awards:

Best British Male:
Nominees:
Ed Sheeran
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher
Professor Green
Winner = Ed Sheeran
One of the results I was least happy with. Even though I respect the fact that Ed Sheeran has broken through, his album wasn't a patch on Noel Gallagher's fantastic solo debut.
Decision = Bad

Best British Female:
Nominees:
Adele
Florence
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling
Winner = Adele
Probably the strongest category in the Brits this year. Although many people it was Adele's for the taking (which was true in the end), there wasn't a nominee in the category who didn't deserve the award. So whoever won the award I would be happy with (even though I was secretly rooting for Kate Bush on the night).
Decision = Good

Best British Breakthrough Act:
Nominees:
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran
Emeli Sande
Jessie J
The Vaccines
Winner = Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is probably the definition of breakthrough act in the UK right now. From starting out as a guitar technician for folk band Nizlopi to selling nearly a million copies of his debut album worldwide, it was right that Sheeran should win the award. The other nominees - Anna Calvi who hasn't really broken through in terms of the mainstream BRIT Awards; Emeli Sande who won the Critics Choice Award that evening and Jessie J who had broken through a long time ago (her debut single went to number 2 in 2010) meant that it was even more right that Ed Sheeran should win the award. The only other act who deserved it is The Vaccines, who I personally thought deserved to win. However Ed Sheeran has definitely broken through.
Decision = OK

Best British Group:
Nominees:
Arctic Monkeys
Chase & Status
Coldplay
Elbow
Kasabian
Winner = Coldplay
Being a huge fan of the new Kasabian record and being overwhelmed with how good Arctic Monkeys were when I saw them live in October, I was a bit disappointed when Coldplay took the gong for Best British Band. Although I am a fan of Coldplay and like their new album, I think Kasabian's album is much better and that Arctic Monkeys are a better band live.
Decision = OK

Best British Single:
Nominees:
Adele - Someone Like You
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me
Jessie J - Price Tag
JlS - She Makes Me Wanna
Military Wives - Wherever You Are
Olly Murs - Heart Skips A Beat
One Direction -What Makes You Beautiful
Pixie Lott - All About Tonight
The Wanted - Glad You Came
Winner = One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
Even though Adele's colossal hit single 'Someone Like You' was in the running, it's no real surprise that 1D took the gong in the end due to their massive fan base. Whether you like One Direction or their fans is a completely different story but what I'm annoyed about is the actual song itself which won the award. I'm not saying it's a bad song by any means - but the best British single of 2011? The song which has defined the year? No. In previous years, such classics songs as Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and Procul Harlem's 'Whiter Shade Of Pale' have won this award. Now personally I don't think any of the songs in this years category can match that standard, but in the last 30 years pop songs which are still being sung in karaoke bars up and down the country, such as 'Karma Chamleon'; 'Never Gonna Give You Up' and 'Angels'. Do I see 'What Makes You Beautiful' being remembered in 20 or even just 10 years time? No.
Decision = Bad

Best British Album:
Nominees:
Adele - 21
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Ed Sheeran - +
Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
Winner = Adele - 21
Obvious really.
Decision = Good

Best International Male:
Nominees:
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
David Guetta
Ryan Adams
Winner = Bruno Mars
Not one of the strongest categories to be honest. Should've been a close call between the talents of Bon Iver and Ryan Adams but no this is the mainstream Brit Awards so it was between Bruno Mars and David Guetta. It came down to the fact that Mars was performing on the night so he got the award.
Decision = OK

Best International Female:
Nominees:
Beyonce
Bjork
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna
Winner = Rihanna
Again same as Best International Male, a toss up between three pop heavyweights. Rihanna performed on the night - she took home the gong.
Decision = OK

Best International Breakthrough Act:
Nominees:
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj
Winner = Lana Del Rey
Not a bad category compared to last year which contained Justin Bieber and Glee. For the Brits, Best International Breakthrough Act comes down who has made the most impact. It was then clearly an obvious choice for a woman who made the most breathtaking breakthrough single of last year.
Decision = Good

Best International Group:
Nominees:
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters
Jay Z & Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5
Winner = Foo Fighters
Probably the results which I was most satisfied with. Foo Fighters thoroughly deserved to win after releasing an incredible album last year, 'Wasting Light'. Was just a shame that the Foos weren't there in person to collect the award in person.
Decision = Good

Conclusion
It was quite sad to think that in previous years bullets have been fired into the audience; buckets of water chucked over politicians and stage invasions have taken place at the Brit Awards, but this year the most controversial moment was when Adele's speech was cut short. Coldplay opened the show well with their best song in recent memory 'Charlie Brown' and then Florence + The Machine came onstage shortly after to perform a jaw dropping rendition of 'No Light No Light'. After that the ceremony became boring predictable and cringe worthy at some points (Olly Murs' live performance was diabolical to say the least).
Overall it was quite an average and predictable BRIT Awards.

BRIT AWARDS: WHO YOU WANT TO WIN

2012-02-18T04:16:00.002-08:00

For the past month you have been voting on Michael's Music Madness for who you want to win at the Brit Awards next Tuesday.

BEST BRITISH MALE
NOEL GALLAGHER

BEST BRITISH FEMALE
FLORENCE WELSH

BEST BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT
THE VACCINES

BEST BRITISH SINGLE
ADELE - SOMEONE LIKE YOU

BEST BRITISH GROUP
COLDPLAY

BEST BRITISH ALBUM
COLDPLAY - MYLO XYLOTO

BEST INTERNATIONAL MALE
BON IVER

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEMALE
RIHANNA

BEST INTERNATIONAL BREATHROUGH ACT
LANA DEL REY

BEST INTERNATIONAL GROUP
FOO FIGHTERS

Next week I will write a new blog post with a full list of the winners and my opinions on the performance and more!

Single Reviews 13/02/12

2012-02-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

Single Of The Week:
Jakwob - Electrify (feat. Jetta)
85%

I am never really addicted to a song in the sense that I don't often spend my time listening to one song over and over again but new single from British dubstep producer Jakwob might just be an exception. 'Electrify' starts with an almost 'Irish jig' feel which then builds and evolves into a dubstep classic. Breathtaking vocals from Jetta accompanying the drum 'n' bass section is absolutely astounding. Dance music made properly and at it's best.

The Ting Tings - Hang It Up
32%

In a recent radio interview, The Ting Tings said that the Beastie Boys were a huge influence and that you can see the similarities of 'Hey Ladies' in their new single 'Hang It Up'. Similarities? It's basically the same song. Just 'Hey Ladies' is a display of genius lyrics and rhymes from the Beastie Boys, whereas 'Hang It Up' is just as naff and annoying as their previous work. However they've kept a strong pop hook in it, which is nice.

Paul Weller - That Dangerous Age
68%

The first single from the Modfather's eleventh solo record is a fuzzed out rocker which sounds like a mix between Stealer Wheels' 'Stuck In The Middle With You' and Gorillaz B-Side 'We Are Happy Landfill'. Which is quite a good blend. However when you compare it to his older work it feels quite weak. Not Weller's finest but it sure is catchy.

Scissor Sisters - Shady Love
2%

I remember a time when Scissor Sisters brought out great pop songs and did a respectable and quite innovative Pink Floyd. Unlike now when they are churning out this unbearable rubbish. Another thing, who thought it was a good idea for Jake Shears (lead singer) to rap! Just awful.

Emeli Sande - Next To Me
79%

Up and coming star Emeli Sande feels right at home in her new single 'Next To Me' which is one of the most joyous and soulful pop songs of the last decade. 'Next To Me' sounds like Sande has hit her stride. Long may it continue and bring decent pop music into the charts.

Grammy 2012 Results

2012-02-13T01:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I predicted who I thought was going to win at the Grammy Awards. Below are the list of the nominees for the ten categories ; who I predicted to win and who actually won.

I predicted to win
Won

Record of the Year:

“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

Best New Artist
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J.Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Album of the Year
Adele – 21
Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Bruno Mars – Doo Wops and Hooligans
Rihanna – Loud

Best Pop Solo Performance
Someone Like You – Adele
Yoü And I – Lady Gaga
Grenade – Bruno Mars
Firework – Katy Perry
F***in’ Perfect – Pink

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Body And Soul – Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
Dearest – The Black Keys
Paradise – Coldplay
Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People
Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera

Best Pop Vocal Album
21 – Adele
The Lady Killer – Cee Lo Green
Born This Way – Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans – Bruno Mars
Loud – Rihanna

Best Rock Song
The Cave – Mumford & Sons
Down By The Water – The Decemberists
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall – Coldplay
Lotus Flower – Radiohead
Walk - Foo Fighters

Best Rock Album
Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul – Jeff Beck
Wasting Light – Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown – Kings Of Leon
I’m With You – Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Whole Love – Wilco

Best Rap Song
All Of The Lights – Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie
Black And Yellow – Wiz Khalifa
I Need A Doctor – Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey
Look At Me Now – Chris Brown
Otis – Jay-Z & Kanye West
The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco

Conclusion
I was happy that the Foo Fighters ended up winning four awards because their last album 'Wasting Light' was such a brilliant record. It was also nice that Amy Winehouse won the award for Best Pop Duo Performance which was a fitting tribute to a shortlived talent. But the big winner was Adele (she won six awards!) and I think she throughly deserved it.
I predicted 5/10 correctly. Not too shabby.

Nina Nesbitt Interview

2012-02-12T15:40:00.001-08:00

Nina Nesbitt is a 17 year old singer songwriter from Edinburgh. A rising star with an appearance in the new Ed Sheeran video ("Drunk"); a support slot for Example's UK tour and she received airplay of her new single 'Glue' on BBC Radio 1 last week. I sent her some questions about her inspirations and what to expect from her in the future.

How and when did you realise you had a gift for singing/song writing?
I've always written songs and sung since I was very little as its something I naturally enjoy but I guess people saying they like it or are inspired by it made me realise I could be a singer and also hearing from other musicians I look up to that they support my music gave me a lot of confidence and reassurance.

Who are your musical inspirations?
I don't have a particular one, it's more a variety of very different artists such as Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran, Eva Cassidy, Joni Mitchell, Example and more. All quite different styles that inspire my own music.

What is your thought process when you sit down and write a song?

I don't really have one, they just kind of come out. It's not something I 'sit down and do'. I'm constantly writing all the time, whether it be writing lyrics on a train, recording melodies at home, it's something that comes naturally to me and each song has a different process. Sometimes it'll be a lyrical idea, other times it'll be a guitar riff or sometimes it's an experience that pours into a song.

When can we expect a new album and how similar/different will it be to the 'Live Take' EP?
It'll be another EP and it'll be out in April. It will be similar in terms of song writing style but I'm including a few more instruments this time as it won't be live takes and I'll also be playing my piano as people haven't seen that side to me before. Still keeping it real and organic feeling.

If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
There are too many to mention! Nirvana - it'd be random. Example and myself are writing together soon though and I'm really looking forward to see what comes of that as I find his lyrics inspirational to my own songs.

What is your overall ambition as an artist?

To be successful in writing, recording and touring.

What's next for Nina Nesbitt?

More music for you all to hear and touring! I'm heading off on a European tour in march with Ed Sheeran, then my new EP, then my headline UK mini tour and Example arena tour. then on to festivals etc so it's a busy time for me!

A song from her Live Take EP:

Grammy 2012 Predictions

2012-02-12T05:53:00.000-08:00

The Grammys are held tonight and I have predicted who I think will win each category. However there are so many categories I have just predicted the ten big ones.

My predictions:

Record of the Year:

“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

“Holocene” by Bon Iver,
“Grenade” by Bruno Mars,
“The Cave” by Mumford and Sons,
“Firework” by Katie Perry

Song of the Year
“All of the Lights” by Kanya West feat Rihanna, Kid Cuddi
“The Cave” by Mumford and Sons
“Grenade” by Bruno Mars
“Holocene” by Bon Iver
“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

Best New Artist
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Album of the Year
Adele – 21
Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Bruno Mars – Doo Wops and Hooligans
Rihanna – Loud

Best Pop Solo Performance
Someone Like You – Adele
Yoü And I – Lady Gaga
Grenade – Bruno Mars
Firework – Katy Perry
F***in’ Perfect – Pink

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Body And Soul – Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
Dearest – The Black Keys
Paradise – Coldplay
Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People
Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera

Best Pop Vocal Album
21 – Adele
The Lady Killer – Cee Lo Green
Born This Way – Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans – Bruno Mars
Loud – Rihanna

Best Rock Song
The Cave – Mumford & Sons
Down By The Water – The Decemberists
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall – Coldplay
Lotus Flower – Radiohead
Walk - Foo Fighters

Best Rock Album
Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul – Jeff Beck
Wasting Light – Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown – Kings Of Leon
I’m With You – Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Whole Love – Wilco

Best Rap Song
All Of The Lights – Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie
Black And Yellow – Wiz Khalifa
I Need A Doctor – Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey
Look At Me Now – Chris Brown
Otis – Jay-Z & Kanye West
The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco

Single Reviews 4/02/12

2012-02-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

Single Of The Week:
Jack White - Love Interruption
84%

This time last year, The White Stripes announced that they were throwing in the towel. The band split up in order to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and Jack & Meg White announced their divorce 5 months later. Now a year later he has announced that he is releasing his first ever solo record 'Blunderbuss' in Spring. Love Interruption is the first new piece of music from his solo debut and is a much laid back affair and stripped back affair (with the notable absence of a drum kit) than previous efforts. It begins with an introduction similar to that of Dusty Springfield's hit single 'Son Of A Preacher Man'. Then follows 2 and a half minutes of great lyrics, harmonies and musicianship that would put the best singer-songwriters in their place. Bliss.

Jessie J - Domino
41%

About mainstream as it gets from the biggest breakthrough pop act of 2011. Sounding like a mix between Katy Perry's 'Last Friday Night' and P!nk's 'Raise Your Glass'. So it's perfect for commercial radio but not for my musical taste.

Lower Than Atlantis - If The World Was To End
81%

"If the world was to end would I plummet or ascend or would I even know it had happened". Quite appropriate lyrics considering that, according to the Mayan calendar at least, the world is going to end in December. I don't think it will but if it leads to more bands creating well written superb rock music such as LTA's new single, then bring on the apocalypse!

Cover Drive - Twilight
6%

Twilight, the brand new song from the four piece band Cover Drive, went straight to the top of the UK Singles Chart last week, and frankly it's hard to see why. With an inattention seeking chorus which is visible 2 seconds into the song and a lousy attempt to try and sound South American (I know they are from Barbados but it doesn't feel like a natural sound for them). Definition of a throwaway pop song.

Sub Focus - Falling Down
70%

The new single from English electronic music producer Nick Douwma otherwise known as 'Sub Focus', is a concoction of a infectious beats, massive drops, great vocals and classic dubstep 'wubs'. Dubstep done properly.

The Carpels Interview

2012-01-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

The Carpels are a Birmingham - based band consisting of Dylan Williams (vocals); Michael Darby (guitar & vocals); Tom Michin (lead guitar); Ewan Wallace (bass) & Jacob McQue (drums). They are a post-punk, new wave indie band and are signed to the independent record label 'One Beat Records'. I sent them some questions about
their background, influences and ambitions.

When, where and how did you form as a band?

Dylan Williams: "We all went to the same secondary school in Moseley, Birmingham and in year 7 Jacob (Drummer), Ewan (bass) and Michael (guitar and vocals) started the band. Back then it started as like a proper rock and roll trio with song titles such as 'death will get you in the end'. It was nothing serious, just a bit of fun and then after a couple of years Tom (lead guitarist) joined and the band took off in a completely different direction creating and writing tricky and spikey intertwining guitar riffs. That was really the foundations upon which the band's music is built upon today. Another couple years later just as we were entering our last year of school the lads appraoched me and asked if I wanted to have a go at singing in the band and I just went for it and yeah, its all gone from there really."

How long have you each being playing your respective instruments?

Dylan Williams: "Jacob had never picked up a pair of sticks until the band started about 6 years ago. Its probably the same for Ewan with his bass as well actually. To be honest, none of us really knew how to play any of our instruments before we joined the bands at our different times, so really the band itself has kind of taught us entirely to be the musicians we are now in that respect."

Who are your musical inspirations?

Dylan Williams: "We all have our different opinions and love for different artists. For example, Tom is mad for that Johnny Marr sound with his guitar and he is really into bands like The Stone Roses and My Bloody Valentine. I know Jacob loves Travis Barker and Ewan takes inspiration from Joy Division and Metronomy esque bass lines. Michael's baratone vocals are influenced hugely by bands like New Order and again Joy Division. Vocally I'm very influenced by bands such as The Cribs and The Libertines. Although we all kind of take our own inspirations and put it into our personal performances, as a band our inspirations come from artists such as The Maccabees and The Strokes."

You released your brilliant new single 'Bears' last week, what is the song about?

Dylan Williams: "Its a song about a girl who is in love with a guy who isn't a very nice guy at all. He beats her up and goes out and robs people and stuff. She kinda knows she shouldn't be with him but its that whole concept of a girl being attracted to the 'bad boy'. I suppose its kind of a punky episode of that Rihanna song 'We Found Love' if you know what I mean. It took influence from the riots in Britain last summer and has a kind of domestic violence theme running through it but from a friend's point of view instead of the girl's."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4PYTg7UeXo

When can we expect the new album?

Dylan Williams: "Well we are still writing a lot of new material and have recently recorded some rough demo's which will be put up on Youtube soon and will be accompanied by a video. They won't be released, just to be heard on Youtube to keep people going before we release anything proper. Album wise, i'm not sure to be honest with you."

How do you feel about the general absence of guitar bands in the charts?

Dylan Williams: "It's funny you ask that actually because we were talking about this the other day. Like I cant remember guitar music ever being in the charts and its just weird to think that like The stone roses and others used to get into it. The charts in my memory has always just been populated by people like Rihanna and Eminem. Don't get me wrong though, I love chart music, Rihanna is the best!!! Haha you need some cheesy synth lines and a bit of Dappy every now again I think! But yeah to answer your question I don't really mind that guitar music doesn't make it into the charts. It would ruin it I think because everybody would be trying to do it and it could create a kind of generic sound that the charts have turned r'n'b music into. Guitar music will be loved by its fans no matter where it appears."

What are you most looking forward to this year?
Dylan Williams: "We all leave college this year and are taking a year out to focus entirely on the band so that will be fun. We are hopefully going to do some festivals in the summer and I cant wait to get back into the studio to get some proper recordings down."

What are your aspirations as a band?

We just want to keep writing and gigging which will hopefully lead us to the next level where we find our selves making a proper career out of doing what we do. We have a drive and passion for this and we want to do it all day everyday and if we are lucky that can happen at some point in the future.

Single Reviews 15/01/12

2012-01-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

Single Of The Week:

The Shins - Simple Song
89%
Taking a break from side project 'Broken Bells', James Mercier has made a new record with his old band 'The Shins'. The first taster of this new album is the superb new single 'Simple Song'. Starting in a similar way to how Greg Lake's 'I Believe In Father Christmas' ends, the huge sounding progression of the introduction prepares you for what is not a quite a simple song. Even though it has the blueprints for s straightforward pop song, The Shins go further than this. With many instruments being thrown into the mix and each one being played to their limits, 'Simple Song' feels like a lot has gone into it and only what is needed has come out. Its not overproduced or under produced. It's just brilliant. Not only does this show that Mercier is a man of many talents but that he is currently up their with the best musicians around today.

Professor Green - Never Be A Right Time
27%
New song from Professor Green's second album 'At Your Inconvenience' sees British rapper go quite soppy. Nothing here to offend the ears but nothing to interest them either.

The Carpels - Bears
77%
Indie band from Birmingham's new single from their highly anticipated debut album. With fantastic guitar work and powerful vocals, 'Bears' is a great indie tune done well. One of the best new bands around. I'm predicting big things for them this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4PYTg7UeXo

Taio Cruz - Troublemaker
3%
Any song which starts with the words "I saw when you arrived, looking like a super model
your ass from the side looks just like a coke bottle" deserves to be banned due to pain to the human ear. Not only are the lyrics terrible and the noises in the background irritating, there seems to be a distinctive lack of a pop hook. So a throwaway pop song which isn't even catchy. An early contender for worst song of 2012. Things can only get better...

Skrillex & The Doors - Breakin' A Sweat
61%
Dubstep producer Sonny John Moore aka Skrillex came 4th in the BBC Sound of 2012. His latest effort sees him collaborating with members of the legendary rock band 'The Doors'. Although I do find this song quite OTT, I respect that. Something a bit totally bonkers is refreshing from the boring; beige music around nowadays, especially when this song has been A-listed on Radio 1. It's also nice to hear an innovator of the dubstep genre making music rather than all the rip-offs in the charts. Not exactly my cup of tea but a breath of fresh air from the boring and the rip-offs.

BRIT Awards Predictions

2012-01-12T09:42:00.000-08:00

The nominations for the annual BRIT Awards are announced today (Thursday 12th). So I've decided to predict who I think will get nominated:
N.B. These are who I think will get nominated, not who I want to get nominated.

Best British Male:
Ed Sheeran
Wretch 32
Proffessor Green
Example
Noel Gallagher

Best British Female:
Adele
Laura Marling
Jessie J
Florence + The Machine
PJ Harvey

Best British Breakthrough Act:
Jessie J
The Vaccines
Wretch 32
Ed Sheeran
Nero

Best British Group:
Coldplay
Arctic Monkeys
JLS
Kasabian
The Vaccines

Best British Single:
Adele - Someone Like You
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
Jessie J - Price Tag
One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me

Best British Album:
Adele - 21
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Florence & The Machine - Ceremonials
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
Ed Sheeran - +

Best International Male:
Bruno Mars
Bon Iver
Michael Buble
Drake
Justin Bieber

Best International Female:
Rihanna
Lady Gaga
Beyonce
Katy Perry
Taylor Swift

Best International Breakthrough Act:
Nicki Minaj
Foster The People
Christina Perri
Lana Del Rey
Skrillex

Best International Group:
Foo Fighters
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Foster The People
Maroon 5
The Black Keys

Best International Album:
Jay Z & Kayne West - Watch The Throne
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Lady Gaga - Born This Way
Bruno Mars - Doo Wops & Hooligans
The Black Keys - El Camino

Calling All Music Lovers

2012-01-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

Soon I hope to add a new feature to my blog. Each week I want to post a feature where you select 5 songs you are loving at the moment. They can be from whenever by whoever. All you need to do is tell me the names of of your selected 5 songs and a few sentences on why you love each one.
You can contact me by sending an email to mikeybarwise@hotmail.co.uk or sending me a message via twitter @MWB709

January 2012 - Indie Month

2012-01-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

Although January is a generally a very boring month, its when many indie bands release new music and this year is no exception. So continue reading below to discover great guitar bands with new music this month.

Albums:

The Maccabees - Given To The Wild (out 9th January)
Their third album and if lead single 'Pelican' is anything to go by its their best so far.
Listen to 'Pelican' here:

Tribes - Baby (out January 16th)
Recently announced for the NME Awards 2012 Tour, Tribes are up there with some of the best new bands around.
Listen to 'When My Day Comes' from their new album here:

The Big Pink - Future This (out January 16th)
You'll have probably heard their hit single 'Dominoes' from a few years ago. Well this time they are bigger and better than ever before.
Listen to 'Stay Gold' from their new album here:

Howler - America Give Up (out January 16th)
New band Howler are hotly tipped by NME Magazine among others.
Listen to 'I Told You Once' from their new album here:

Singles:

The Dandies - Battle Cry (out now)
The best new rock n' roll band I've heard since Biffy Clyro.
Check out their new single 'Battle Cry' here:

The Carpels - Bears (out 8th January)
Birmingham-based band sound like a mix between Foals and Two Door Cinema Club with their own little twist.
Listen to their new song 'Bears' here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4PYTg7UeXo

The Arcadian Kicks - I Wanna Take You Home (out January 22nd)

Also from Birmingham; The Arcadian Kicks' influences of Fleetwood Mac; Sonic Youth and The Naked & Famous are shown clearly in new single I Wanna Take You Home.
When the band release the music video I will post it on here.
In the meantime, read my interview with lead singer Becky Wilson here: http://michael-barwise.blogspot.com/2011/12/arcadian-kicks-interview.html

Friends - I'm His Girl (out now)
All ready shortlisted for the BBC Sound Of 2012, Friends are tipped to be one of the hottest new bands around.
Listen to I'm His Girl here:

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: The Full List

2012-01-01T04:32:00.000-08:00

40) Noah & The Whale - L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
I.T.'.S.D.E.A.D.C.A.T.C.H.Y.!.

39) The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love?
Clocking in at 6 minutes and 28 seconds (the longest songs in my top 40) The Rapture show the true meaning of groove in this piano driven tune.

38) Katy B feat. Magnetic Man - Perfect Stranger
2011's queen of the dancefloor's big moment was her collaboration with dubstep group Magnetic Man. A good mix of d n' b leading into the chorus and Katy's beautiful vocals.

37) Lady Gaga - The Edge Of Glory
Probably my favourite Gaga song to date, The Edge Of Glory is a brilliant pop song. It's icing on the cake is courtesy the late great Clarence Clemons on saxophone.

36) Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Garden
I've haven't heard anything that sounds like this all year. With it's out-there production and strange groove, it sounds completely alien. The vocals shared by male and female also give it another interesting twist.

35) Frank Ocean - Thinking About You
Hotly tipped for 2012, Frank Ocean's impeccably soulful voice is clearly displayed in Thinking About You.

34) Chase & Status feat. Liam Bailey - Blind Faith
"SWEET SENSATION". Big hitters Chase & Status draught in the vocals talent of Liam Bailey for massive commercial pop song. It really works too.

33) Enter Shikari - Quelle Surprise
One of the hugest sounding songs of the year. MASSIVE!

32) Wretch 32 feat. Josh Kumra - Don't Go

From one of 2011's biggest breakthrough act, Wretch 32 follows in the footsteps of successful UK rappers such as Dizzee Racal and Tinie Tempah. Credit for Don't Go (his first UK number 1 single) should be given to Josh Kumra's brilliant vocals.

31) Chapel Club - O Maybe I
I discovered this earlier this year when iTunes made it free single of the week. I love the singer's poetic vocals and the noise that the guitar makes throughout the song is spectacular.

30) Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

Catchy song from L.A. indie band about a real life killing spree.

29) Birdy - Skinny Love
Beautiful piano cover of Bon Iver song.

28) Funeral Party - Finale
Q Magazine: "Joy Division-esque bass, impassioned vocals, stentorian keyboards and a chorus to singalong to." I agree.

27) James Blake - A Case Of You
Although his debut album didn't live up to my expectations, this cover of a Joni Mitchell classic has Blake singing with real emotion to beautiful lyrics.

26) Laura Marling - Sophia
I haven't really listened to much of her music, but this majestic song is sensational.

25) Emeli Sande - Heaven
Jungle and Drum n' Bass meet raw passion and soul on Emeli Sande's debut single. Already winner of the Critics Choice Award at the BRITs, expect great things from her in 2012.

24) Ben Howard - The Fear
Highlight from Ben Howard's solo debut by a mile.

23) Charlie Simpson - Down Down Down
Fantastic acoustic song from ex-Busted member.

22) Kasabian - Re-Wired
"HIT ME, HARDER, I'M GETTING RE-WIRED". This Marc Bolan sounding track is up there with Kasabian's best songs.

21) Gil Scott Heron & Jamie XX - I'll Take Care Of You
Most people will probably recognise this song from the cover Rihanna & Drake did recently. However, the late great Gil Scot Heron's vocals put Rihanna firmly back in her place while Jamie XX's old school beats are a breath of fresh air in a music scene which is extremely bass heavy.

20) The Vaccines - All In White
They are my favourite band of 2011 due to making one of my favourite albums of 2011. However I love most of the songs on their debut equally so it was hard which to pick as my favourite. I've gone for 'All In White' - a stadium anthem due to its 'Ahh-Ahh-Ahh' build up to the chorus and ,unlike most of the songs on The Vaccine's album, is over 4 minutes in length which gives it time to gradually build up and then gracefully end.

19) Viva Brother - Still Here
Although not one of the most popular bands around at the moment, their huge ego was matched with this modern-day indie anthem. Catchy too.

18) Hard-Fi - Fire In The House
The third indie band in a row in this list. Hard-Fi returned in 2011 after a four year break with single 'Good For Nothing' which was a roaring comeback single. However second single 'Fire In The House' is more subtle and a fantastic pop song which many may have overlooked. Look again.

17) Alex Turner - Piledriver Waltz
From the 'Submarine EP', Piledriver Waltz sees Alex Turner at his best (lyrically). He captures the mood of 'Submarine' perfectly with Turner singing about eating breakfast 'at the Heartbreak Hotel' and that 'your waitress was miserable and so was your food'. Superb.

16) Lana Del Rey - Video Games
Lana Del Rey's debut single is a majestic ballad that really does stand out from the crowd. It is poised and has a very grand orchestral arrangement which fits to her vocal immaculately. The first time I listened to it, I was lost for words. Stunning.

15) Foo Fighters - Walk
The Foo Fighters latest album was a full on rock album which was released on a tape in Dave Grohl's garage. My favourite song off the album is the final track 'Walk'. Probably my favourite Foo Fighters song ever. I also put its hilarious music video as my favourite of 2011 in a recent blog post.

14) Maverick Sabre - I Need

With all the boring music around these days as well as the mind numbingly horrible pop trash invading the charts, what we really need is soul. Well Maverick Sabre's 'I Need' has plenty of soul. He is definitely one to watch in 2012.

13) Keaton Henson - You Don't Know How Lucky You Are
Beautiful. The noises that the guitar make are beautiful. The words are beautiful. The way Keaton delivers the vocals are beautiful. Just beautiful. Listen:

12) Lower Than Atlantis - (Motor) Way Of Life

One of my favourite new bands of 2011 and this songs has been on repeat on my iPod since I bought it earlier this year. Fantastic tune.

11) Miles Kane - Colour Of The Trap
Wonderful title track from the best dressed man in pop. The strings section makes this song seem close to perfection.

10) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - The Death Of You And Me
A much more subtle and quiet approach than brother Liam's, The Death Of You And Me is a brilliant song reminiscent of Oasis' 'The Importance Of Being Idle'. Stomping chorus and great lyrics.

9) Beady Eye - Kill For A Dream
Even though I preferred Noel albums, its this song which makes me still love the rest of the band. For me its Liam's best vocals since.... Champagne Supernova!

8) Friendly Fires - Hawaiian Air
I'm travelling Hawaiian Air!

7) Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle
The piano riff at the start is good enough to make it on this list alone. The rest of the song is also amazing.

6) Coldplay - Charlie Brown
Highlight from their fifth album. Charlie Brown is the best thing they've done in 10 years.

5) The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness
Admittedly not a fan of The Strokes previous work, I was surprised listening to this by how good it is.

4) The Wombats - Techno Fan
This is how you use synths in pop music. The Wombats have had so many great songs over the last 12 months but this one stood out for me.

3) Arctic Monkeys - Reckless Serenade
The noise of the bass at the start; the relaxed Sunday afternoon feel to it - its sensational.

2) The Horrors - Still Life
From a band who are going from strength to strength. This song already sounds like a timeless classic.

My Favourite Song of 2011 is....

1) White Lies - Bigger Than Us
I bought this song on January 2nd 2011. The sheer power and emotion I feel when listening to the chorus is unbelievable. I loved it then and I love it even more now. I love it!

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: 5 - 1

2011-12-31T17:29:00.000-08:00

Here we go, my 5 favourite songs of 2011.

5) The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness
Admittedly not a fan of The Strokes previous work, I was surprised listening to this by how good it is.

4) The Wombats - Techno Fan
This is how you use synths in pop music. The Wombats have had so many great songs over the last 12 months but this one stood out for me.

3) Arctic Monkeys - Reckless Serenade
The noise of the bass at the start; the relaxed Sunday afternoon feel to it - its sensational.

2) The Horrors - Still Life
From a band who are going from strength to strength. This song already sounds like a timeless classic.

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: 10 - 6

2011-12-31T16:35:00.000-08:00

9) Beady Eye - Kill For A Dream
Even though I preferred Noel albums, its this song which makes me still love the rest of the band. For me its Liam's best vocals since.... Champagne Supernova!

8) Friendly Fires - Hawaiian Air
I'm travelling Hawaiian Air!

7) Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle
The piano riff at the start is good enough to make it on this list alone. The rest of the song is also amazing.

6) Coldplay - Charlie Brown
Highlight from their fifth album. Charlie Brown is the best thing they've done in 10 years.

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: 15 - 11

2011-12-31T15:06:00.000-08:00

14) Maverick Sabre - I Need

12) Lower Than Atlantis - (Motor) Way Of Life

One of my favourite new bands of 2011 and this songs has been on repeat on my iPod since I bought it earlier this year. Fantastic tune.

11) Miles Kane - Colour Of The Trap
Wonderful title track from the best dressed man in pop. The strings section makes this song seem close to perfection.

Coming Soon... My top 10 songs of 2011.

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: 20 - 16

2011-12-31T14:01:00.000-08:00

19) Viva Brother - Still Here
Although not one of the most popular bands around at the moment, their huge ego was matched with this modern-day indie anthem. Catchy too.

17) Hard-Fi - Fire In The House
The third indie band in a row in this list. Hard-Fi returned in 2011 after a four year break with single 'Good For Nothing' which was a roaring comeback single. However second single 'Fire In The House' is more subtle and a fantastic pop song which many may have overlooked. Look again.

18) Alex Turner - Piledriver Waltz
From the 'Submarine EP', Piledriver Waltz sees Alex Turner at his best (lyrically). He captures the mood of 'Submarine' perfectly with Turner singing about eating breakfast 'at the Heartbreak Hotel' and that 'your waitress was miserable and so was your food'. Superb.

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: 25 - 21

2011-12-31T10:43:00.000-08:00

24) Ben Howard - The Fear
Highlight from Ben Howard's solo debut by a mile.

23) Charlie Simpson - Down Down Down
Fantastic acoustic song from ex-Busted member.

22) Kasabian - Re-Wired
"HIT ME, HARDER, I'M GETTING RE-WIRED". This Marc Bolan sounding track is up there with Kasabian's best songs.

Other People's Favourite Music Of 2011

2011-12-30T12:37:00.000-08:00

For the past few weeks I have been blogging about what music I've been loving in 2011.
So I've decided to ask people, via Twitter, what has been their favourite music this year.

Hannah Barry's Favourite...
Album of 2011 = Charlie Simpson - Young Pilgrim
Song of 2011 = Lana Del Rey - Video Games

Thomas Holloway's (@tomholloway808) Favourite Songs of 2011:
(in no particular order)
Yuck - The Wall
The Horrors - Moving Further Away
Little Illusion Machine - Arctic Monkeys feat. Death Ramps
Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

Jamie Harris' (@jammierox) Favourite Songs of 2011:
1. Adele - Rolling In The Deep
2. Coldplay - Charlie Brown
3. Rihanna - We Found Love
4. Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle
5. Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me
6. Florence + The Machine - No Light No Light
7. David Guetta - Where Them Girls At
8. Emeli Sande - Heaven
9. The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
10. Nicola Roberts - I

Jamie Harris' (@jammierox) Favourite Albums of 2011:
1. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
2. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
3. Adele - 21
4. Kasabian - Velociraptor
5. Ed Sheeran - +

Tom Hooper's (@TomHooper8) Favourite Songs of 2011:
10. Ed Sheeran - A Team
9.Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle
8. The Vaccines - If You Wanna
7. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
6. Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
5. North Atlantic Oscillation - Hollywood Has Ended
4. Coldplay - Paradise
3. The Wombats - 1996
2. The Kooks - Junk Of The Heart
1. Foo Fighters - Rope

Tom Hooper's (@TomHooper8) Favourite Albums of 2011:
5. North Atlantic Oscillation - Grappling Hooks
4. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
3. Angels and Airwaves - Love
2. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
1. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Drew Cox's (@drewerd1231) Favourite Songs of 2011:
20. Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
19. Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra
18. Foo Fighters - Rope
17. Noel Gallagher - AKA...What A Life!
16. Chase And Status - Blind Faith
15. Cage The Elephant - Shake Me Down
14. Funeral Party - Youth & Poverty
13. Kasabian - Re-Wired
12. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Adventures Of Raindance Maggie
11. Friends - I'm His Girl
10. The Kooks - Killing Me
9. Wretch 32 ft. Josh Kumra - Don't Go
8. Charlie Simpson - Cemetery
7. The Horrors - Still Life
6. Miles Kane - Inhaler
5. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
4. Bombay Bicycle Club - How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep
3. Friendly Fires - Hawaiian Air
2. Don't Sit Down Cause' I've Moved Your Chair - Arctic Monkeys
1. Smith Westerns - The Weekend

Drew Cox's (@drewerd1231) Favourite Albums of 2011:
5. The Kooks - Junk Of The Heart
4. Adele - 21
3. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
2. Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See
1. Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix

Jack Gardiner's (@EnterGardiner) Favourite Albums of 2011:
1. Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events
2. Opeth - Heritage
3. Charlie Simpson - Young Pilgrim
4. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
5. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Jack Gardiner's (@EnterGardiner) Favourite Songs of 2011:
(in no particular order)
Dreamtheater - Bridges In The Sky
Kasabian - Re-Wired .
Foo Fighters - Rope .
Coldplay - Paradise
Noel Gallagher - AKA...What A Life!
Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks .
Charlie Simpson - Cemetery
Opeth - The Devils Orchard
Enter Shikari - Sssnakepit
Calvim Harris - Feel So Close

Thomas George's (@ThomasGeorge100) Favourite Albums of 2011:
5. Ed Sheeran - +
4. The Strokes - Angles
3. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines
2. Charlie Simpson - Young Pilgrim
1. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Thomas George's (@ThomasGeorge100) Favourite Songs of 2011:

10-Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

9- Calvin Harris - Bounce

8- Noah and the Whale - L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N

7- The Vaccines - Wetsuit

6- Foo Fighters - Arlandria

5- Charlie Simpson - Down Down Down

4- The Wombats - Techno Fan

3- Ed Sheeran - Lego House

2- Coldplay - Charlie Brown

1- The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness

Claire Evans' (@NichtMehrClaire) Favourite Songs of 2011:
(in no particular order)

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - AKA What a Life

Black Veil Brides - Coffin

Patrick Stump - Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows - My Swagger Has a First Name

Korn feat. Skrillex - Get Up

'Weird Al' Yankovic - Polka Face

Slash feat. Myles Kennedy - Starlight

Foo Fighters - Arlandria

Bowling For Soup - Turbulence

All Time Low - Forget About It

'Weird Al' Yankovic - Stop Forwarding That Crap to Me

Bring Me The Horizon - Anthem

Frank Turner - If Ever I Stray

Emily's Army - Broadcast This

Noah and the Whale - Give it all Back

Claire Evans' (@NichtMehrClaire) Favourite Albums of 2011:
(in no particular order)

Bring Me The Horizon - There is a Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It, There is a Heaven, Let's Keep it a Secret

Black Veil Brides - Set The World on Fire

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Theory of a Deadman - The Truth Is...

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows - Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows

Jane Fell's (@PamelaJaneF) Favourite Albums of 2011:

1: Set The World On Fire – Black Veil Brides

2: Wasting Light – Foo Fighters

3: + - Ed Sheeran

4: Dirty Work – All Time Low

5: Suck It And See – Arctic Monkeys

Jane Fell's (@PamelaJaneF) Favourite Songs of 2011:
1: Rebel Love Song – Black Veil Brides
2: Skinny Love - Birdy
3: Lego House – Ed Sheeran
4: Bridge Burning – Foo Fighters
5: Hellcat Spangled Shalalala –Arctic Monkeys
6: Give Me Everything – Pitbull ft. Ne-yo and Nayer
7: Time-Bomb – All Time Low
8: Parachutes – Charlie Simpson
9: Don’t Go – Wretch 32 ft. Josh Kumra
10: The Pretender – Cherri Bomb
11: Natural Disaster – Example vs. Laidback Luke (Benny Benassi Remix)
12: Under Cover of Darkness – The Strokes
13: Rope – Foo Fighters
14: The Ballad Of Mona Lisa – Panic! At The Disco
15: Blind Faith – Chase and Status ft. Liam Bailey
16: Days Are Forgotten – Kasabian
17: What You Want – Evanescence
18: Sundown – Charlie Simpson
19: Killing Me – The Kooks
20: We Found Love – Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna

David Barwise's (@djbarwise) Favourite Songs of 2011:
1. Coldplay - (Mylo Xyloto +) Hurts Like Heaven
2. James Morrison - I Won't Let You Go
3. Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
4. Rizzle Kicks - Down With The Trumpets
5. The Vaccines - If You Wanna
6. Birdy - Skinny Love
7. The Wombats - Jump Into The Fog
8. Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me
9. Ed Sheeran - Lego House
10. Lana Del Rey - Video Games

David Barwise's (@djbarwise) Favourite Albums of 2011:
1.Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
2.The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
3.Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See
4.James Morrison - The Awakening
5.Kasabian - Velociraptor!

Thomas Howarth's (@ThomasHowarth) Favourite Songs of 2011:

1.The Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough

2.Gym Class Heroes - Stereo Hearts

3.Labrinth feat. Tinie Tempah - Earthquake

4.Coldplay - Paradise

5.Flo Rida - Good Feeling

6.Katy Perry feat. Kanye West - E.T.

7.LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem

8.Calvin Harris - Feel So Close

9.Rizzle Kicks - Down With The Trumpets

10.Sean Kingston - Party All Night

Thomas Howarth's (@ThomasHowarth) Favourite Albums of 2011:

1.Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

2.Example - Playing In The Shadows

3.Rihanna - Loud

4.Kasabian - Velociraptor!

5.Ed Sheeran - +

Lucy Troughtan's (@troughtonator) Favourite Songs of 2011:
(in no particular order)

Jar Of hearts - Christina Perri

Rolling In The Deep - Adele

The Lazy Song - Bruno Mars

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) – Katy Perry

L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. – Noah and the Whale

The A Team - Ed Sheeran

Paradise – Coldplay

Marry You – Bruno Mars
Wherever You Will Go - Charlene Soraia

F**kin Perfect – P!nk

Lucy Troughtans' (@troughtonator) Favourite Albums of 2011:
(in no particular order)

Adele - 21

Noah and the Whale - Last Night On Earth

Jessie J - Who You Are

Owl City – All Things Bright And Beautiful

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

James Barwise's (@jwbarwise1) Favourite Songs of 2011:

(in no particular order)

I'll Take Care of U - Jamie XX feat. Gil Scott Heron

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay

Give Up the Ghost - Radiohead

Hawaiian Air - Friendly Fires

Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga

Rolling In The Deep - Adele

James Barwise's (@jwbarwise1) Favourite Albums of 2011:

3.Gil Scott Heron vs Jamie XX – We’re New Here

2.Radiohead – The King of Limbs

1.Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto

Grace Heslop's (@graceheslop) Favourite Albums of 2011:
1. Unbroken - Demi Lovato

2. Killing Bono Soundtrack - Various Artists
3. 21 - Adele

4. Up All Night - One Direction
5. 1 (Digitally Remastered) - The Beatles

Grace Heslop's (@graceheslop) Favourite Songs of 2011:
1. Skyscraper - Demi Lovato

2. Kicking Off Again - Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan & Joe Echo
3. Rolling in the Deep - Adele

4. What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction
5. Who's Laughing Now? - Jessie J
6. Hit The Lights - Selena Gomez and the Scene

7. Someone Like You - Adele
8. Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 ft Christina Aguilera
9. Super Bass - Nicki Minaj

10. We Found Love - Rihanna ft Calvin Harris

The Carpels' (@thecarpels) Favourite Songs of 2011:
Gaudete by Steeleye Span

Sad and Lonely by DJ Shadow

Towers by Bon Iver

The Weekend by Smith Westerns

Seriously by Shlohmo

Middle of the Bed by Lucy Rose

The One By Cajole Cajole

Remember by IceAge

Pelican by The Maccabees

Crystaline by Bjork

The Carpels' (@thecarpels) Favourite Albums of 2011:

Biophilia by Bjork

Dye It Blonde by Smith Westerns

Bad Vibes by Shlohmo

Days by Real Estate
A Different Kind of Fix by Bombay Bicycle Club

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: 30 - 26

2011-12-30T09:25:00.000-08:00

30) Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
Catchy song from L.A. indie band about a real life killing spree.

29) Birdy - Skinny Love
Beautiful piano cover of Bon Iver song.

28) Funeral Party - Finale
Q Magazine: "Joy Division-esque bass, impassioned vocals, stentorian keyboards and a chorus to singalong to." I agree.

27) James Blake - A Case Of You
Although his debut album didn't live up to my expectations, this cover of a Joni Mitchell classic has Blake singing with real emotion to beautiful lyrics.

26) Laura Marling - Sophia
I haven't really listened to much of her music, but this majestic song is sensational.

The Arcadian Kicks Interview

2011-12-27T09:20:00.000-08:00

The Arcadian Kicks are a Birmingham-based band consisting of

Becky Wilson (Vocals); Rebekah Pennington (Sax, Keys, Backing Vocals); Harry Grainger (Drums) Tommy Kelly (Bass) and Thomas Holloway (Guitar, Backing Vocals). In 2010 they performed on the BBC Introducing Stage at T in The Park. I sent them some questions about their inspirations and ambitions as a band.

How did you get together as a band?

Becky Wilson: We were all together at school, apart from Harry (our drummer) we found him in Leamington Spa. Been together as we are now for about 4 years.

Who are your musical inspirations?

Becky Wilson: It changes all the time, we obviously have staple bands that we all look up to; Blondie, the Stones, the Stooges, The Kills, Miles Kane, The Naked and the Famous, Portishead etc... but we’re all into discovering new music, for me personally I’d say Lana Del Ray at the moment, a bit of Tripwires, Sleigh Bells, Zola Jesus...

How was it working and recording with Mike Chapman (producer of Blondie's classic album Parallel Lines)?

Becky Wilson: We’ve worked with him twice now, the first time was mental! 3 weeks of craziness. The second time round we felt like so much more comfortable and at ease with each other, he knows what we’re after and how to give it to us.

If you got a word each to describe your band, what word would you each pick?

Becky Wilson: I can’t speak for everyone in the band, but my word would have to be: EVOCATIVE at the moment.

If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Becky Wilson: Personally I’d love to collaborate with Karen O, she’s a major influence to me and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are just cool as fuck.

What are your ambitions for the future? Is there a band you aspire to be as big as?

Becky Wilson: Our ambitions would be just to keep on touring, expand our following, get our music out there for people to hopefully dance, drink and have a good time to, travel and have fun....I wouldn’t like to judge a band on the scale of how ‘big’ they are, just whether they write good music and put on a good show, many bands are underrated, but a big crowd is always nice.

The Arcadian Kick's new single 'I Wanna Take You Home' is out on the 22nd of January.

Click here to visit The Arcadian Kicks' Facebook page

Your Favourite Christmas Song Ever...

2011-12-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve!
2 weeks ago I made a poll where you voted for your favourite Christmas song. When I announced the results it turned out that it was draw between Bing Crosby's White Christmas & The Pogues' Fairytale Of New York.
So I made a new poll last week where you voted for your favourite of the two.
So I can reveal that the readers of Michael's Music Madness' favourite Christmas song is...

The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Before the end of the year I will finish my list of my 40 favourite songs of the year as well as my favourite albums of 2011. Stay tunes!

My Favourite Music Videos Of 2011

2011-12-23T03:26:00.000-08:00

A lot of music related end of year lists being posted on my blog recently.
Here's another one:

My Top 5 Music Videos O The Year:

5) Ed Sheeran - Lego House
Ed Sheeran's third music video has Rupert Grint (aka Ron Weasley) playing the part of Ed Sheeran. Writing the lyrics to and singing Lego House. However, after he is dragged off stage by security it soon becomes apparent that Rupert Grint isn't playing the part of Sheeran but of an obsessive fan who dresses and wants to be like Ed Sheeran. Entertaining if not slightly creepy.....

4) So Radiohead made a surprise this year when they released their album King Of Limbs with less than a weeks notice. So what images and visuals could represent the new musical direction they had taken? Well lead singer Thom Yorke dancing obviously.

3) Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See

Drummer Matthew Helders takes the lead role in this bad boy mini movie. Pretty cool.

2) Kasabian - Re-Wired

The video sees Leicester rockers Kasabian starting off in a Mercedes whilst being chased by a 4x4. They drive into traffic cones; run across a golf course; hot wire a Ford Escort; rolled an old fiat and steal a camper van from a petrol station. If Top Gear made a music video...

1) Foo Fighters - Walk
My favourite music video of the year sees Dave Grohl frustrated in a traffic jam with Justin Bieber and Coldplay bumper stickers on the cars in front. So he gets out and walks. The brilliant music video goes on to see Grohl angry with fast food employees; a shop keeper; golfers and a phone booth.

So they were my favourite music videos of 2011.
What were yours?
Let me know by leaving a comment below or tweeting me @MWB709

Review of 2011 extras

2011-12-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

My Favourite....

Remix = Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Jamie XX remix)

Cover Version = James Blake - A Case Of You (Joni Mitchell cover)

Drum n' Bass Song = Drumsound & Bassline Smith - Close

Favourite Metal Song = Mastodon - Curl Of The Burl

Favourite Radio 1 Live Lounge Cover = Miles Kane - Heaven (Emeli Sande cover)

Coming Soon....

My Favourite Videos of 2011

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: 35 - 31

2011-12-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

35) Frank Ocean - Thinking About You
Hotly tipped for 2012, Frank Ocean's impeccably soulful voice is clearly displayed in Thinking About You.

34) Chase & Status feat. Liam Bailey - Blind Faith
"SWEET SENSATION". Big hitters Chase & Status draught in the vocals talent of Liam Bailey for massive commercial pop song. It really works too.

33) Enter Shikari - Quelle Surprise
One of the hugest sounding songs of the year. MASSIVE!

32) Wretch 32 feat. Josh Kumra - Don't Go

More of my top 40 songs of 2011 coming soon...

My Favourite Songs Of 2011: 40 - 36

2011-12-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

It's done. 2011 is over (just about) and I've put together a list of my favourite songs of the year. From a list of over 200 songs and 3 different versions of the list itself, I've put in order my 40 favourite songs of 2011.

Rules for songs being eligible in my top 40 songs of 2011:
- Artists are allowed no more than one song each
- Has to be released in the year 2011 (if a song has been on an album released this year but was released last year as a single, it cannot go in my top 40).
- I have to love it

Let's begin:

40) Noah & The Whale - L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
I.T.'.S.D.E.A.D.C.A.T.C.H.Y.!.

39) The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love?
Clocking in at 6 minutes and 28 seconds (the longest songs in my top 40) The Rapture show the true meaning of groove in this piano driven tune.

The rest of the top 40 is coming soon...

1 Year Ago...Review Of 2010

2011-12-19T13:23:00.000-08:00

2010

My Favourite Songs Of 2010:
20) Plan B -Love Goes Down
19) Corrine Bailey Rae - Are You Here?
18) Warpaint - Undertow
17) Tinie Tempah - Pass Out
16) The Drums - It Will All End In Tears
15) Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know
14) Vampire Weekend - Cousins
13) The Chemical Brothers - Swoon
12) The Black Keys - Tighten Up
11) The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
10) Brandon Flowers - Crossfire
9) Mystery Jets - Dreaming Of Another World
8) Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill
7) Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar
6) Manic Street Preachers - I Think I Found It
5) Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
4) Erland & The Carnival - Trouble In Mind
3) The Wombats - Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)
2) James Blake - Limit To Your Love
1) Foals - Spanish Sahara

My Favourite Albums Of 2010:
5) Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History
4) Erland & The Carnival
3) Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
2) Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From A Young Man
1) Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

Coming Soon...
My Favourite Songs of 2011
My Favourite Albums of 2011

Favourite Festival Headliners of 2011

2011-12-18T06:59:00.000-08:00

The Great British Summer. Rain rain and more rain to be honest. At least we have our festivals though. Glastonbury; Reading & Leeds; V Festival. Each and every year they showcase the some of the biggest and best bands in the world and in 2011, this was no exception. Beyonce headlining Glastonbury would have been a ridiculous idea 5 years ago but she managed to prove people wrong. Muse celebrated the tenth anniversary of their second album 'Origin Of Symmetry' by playing the album in its entirety. Pulp reformed to give a stellar headline slot at Reading & Leeds. Unfortunately U2's headline performance at Glastonbury was a complete let down for most people as it wad hyped up to be such better.

So my favourite 3 festival headliners of 2011 were:

3. My Chemical Romance - Reading Festival
Although I won't say that I'm a fan of MCR, I cannot deny that they absolutely smashed it at Reading.
Opener 'Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)' proved to be the best start to any headline performance this year. Each song was met with a joyous uproar by fans. The icing on the cake was Brian May joining the band onstage for a rendition of 'We Will Rock You' and a My Chemical Romance classic 'Welcome To The Black Parade'.

2. Coldplay - Glastonbury
Glastonbury weekend. U2 headlined on the Friday. Beyonce headlined on the Sunday. This brought much attention away from Coldplay's Saturday headline slot. However after U2's performance turned out to be such a disappointment, the burden of a great headline performance by a guitar band was put on Coldplay's shoulders. On the night they certainly delivered the goods. They had fireworks; fresh new songs and massive hits. However it was the older songs that really shone. Even though they performed the huge stadium anthems such as 'Viva La Vida' and 'Fix You' well, you've heard them lots before.Older, more intimate songs like 'Shiver'; 'Everything's Not Lost' and 'Life Is For Living' were the real highlights for me. Even Noel Gallagher thought it was 'spectacular'. A fantastic headline performance.

1. Arctic Monkeys - T in The Park
If walking on stage to 'Sexy Thing' by Hot Chocolate and then belting out a non sensical album track while you are headlining T in The Park isn't a sign of being confident, then I don't know what is. Having released their fourth album 'Suck It And See' a month earlier, the Monkeys played a whole batch of new material as well as old favourites such as 'Brianstorm'; 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' and 'When The Sun Goes Down'. It was a brilliant performance from start to finish. They even came back on for an encore playing new single 'Suck It And See' and fan favourite 'Mardy Bum'. They were then joined onstage by Miles Kane who played guitar on the superb, and probably my favourite song of all time, '505'. This showed a half a decade's worth of just simply great tunes from a band with a lot more still to give.

So they were my favourite festival headliner of 2011.
Who was yours?
Let me know by leaving a comment or tweeting me @MWB709

Bing Crosby vs The Pogues

2011-12-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

You have been voting all week for your favourite Christmas songs on my poll. The results are in and I can announce that there is a tie between Bing Crosby's White Christmas and The Pogues' Fairytale Of New York.
Due to this, you can now vote for your preferred favourite out of these two festive tunes on the right hand side of the page.

The Worst Album Covers of 2011

2011-12-14T08:26:00.000-08:00

In my last blog, I counted down my top 5 favourite album covers of the year. So I've decided to show my least favourite album covers of 2011 aswell.

3. Pete Rock/Smif-n-Wessun - Monumental

"Glad to see the sculptor from Lionel Richie's "Hello" video is still getting work" - pitchfork.com

2. 31 Knots: Trump Harm

Who on earth thought that it would be a good idea to represent this album with two topless stick men and a face sprouting arms from its skin?

And finally, avert your eyes, my least favourite album cover 2011 is...

1. No Emotion: S*** Is Bad... But Diarrhea Is Worse

What possessed them to use this disgusting; unfunny; revolting; gross piece of rubbish to illustrate their music? I think I'm going to be sick.

So that, understandably, was my least favourite album cover of 2011.

Think you've seen worse this year?

Let me know by leaving a comment below or tweeting me @MWB709.

Your Favourite Christmas Number 1 of the noughties is...

2011-12-13T14:35:00.000-08:00

All week you have been voting for your favourite song that has been at the top of the charts at December 25th.
It's been neck and neck all week between Band Aid 20; Bob The Builder and Rage Against The Machine.
But in the end there can only be one winner.
So, your favourite Christmas number 1 of the noughties is...

Bob The Builder - Can We Fix It?

The Best Album Covers of 2011

2011-12-13T14:03:00.000-08:00

Michael's Music Madness

Review of 2011

Although often overlooked by many, the cover art is an integral part to album. It's what people first see when they pick up the record and it can lead to people buying or it or putting it straight down immediately. Even though bands think it's a good idea to put a picture of them 'looking cool' on the front of the album, their best bet is actually to have something unusual and inspired.

In 2011, there was a fair share of artists trying to look cool:

(and failing to do so)

And artists opting for the weird and wacky:

So here we go my favourite five album covers of 2011:

5. Kasabian - Velociraptor!

The cover art to Kasabian's fourth studio album features guitarist Serge Pizzorno screaming. This image is then repeated another three times. Bonkers!

4. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne

Two of the biggest rappers around with made a collaboration album - to the excess.

So with a massive sounding record, what image can they use to represent it?
Well, it's a golden; regal and grand picture with an usual design that just works so well.

3. Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

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This album sleeve sees a fly on top of a pill. Say no more.

2. Beady Eye - Different Gear, Still Speeding

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It's a picture of a girl riding a crocodile in an old fashioned newspaper. What's not to love?

1. The Horrors - Skying

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My favourite album artwork of the year is this magnificent piece of art with epic scenery and colour scheme. It's just beautiful.

So that's my favourite album artwork of the year.

What's yours?

Let me know by leaving a comment below or tweeting me @MWB709

Band Of The Year

2011-12-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

Michael's Music Madness

Review of 2011

This month I will be counting down my top 40 favourite songs and my top 20 favourite albums of 2011.

I have decided to kick off my review of the year by announcing my 'Band Of The Year'.

For me, 2011 has been a great year for guitar bands in terms of fantastic albums and incredible live shows. There have been lots of bands this year who have made an impression on me but there is only one that I have been following and interested in from start of the year to now.

So I can announce that my band of the 2011 is...

In 2011, The Vaccines rocked. After coming third in the BBC Sound of 2011 poll and having an immense amount of hype due to their 82 second debut single 'Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)', the Vaccines simply got on with it instead of bigging themselves up.

Their debut album (What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?) was released in March to much critical acclaim.The album contained 2 minute punk songs (Under Your Thumb and Norgaard) aswell as sophisticated pop songs (Post-Break Up Sex) and slow burners (Family Friend and Someone Else's Child).

For me though the highlights of the album was radio hit If You Wanna and festival anthem Wetsuit.

Even though they made a great record, the true brilliance of The Vaccines was their live shows. In the summer, they played at Glastonbury and T in the Park where they demonstrated their knack of being able to create these 2-3 minute pop gems and being able to give an old fashioned rock n' roll show in front large audiences. It was at Reading & Leeds festival , however, that it felt as if 2011 belonged to The Vaccines. They performed as if they'd been around for decades whilst maintaining the rawness; passion and youth. They had the audience in the palm of their hands and their performance was named the best of the entire weekend by NME Magazine.

If You Wanna - Reading Festival 2011

So they proved themselves to be up their with the best if no the best indie bands around. For me, they owned 2011 thanks to a great album and some fantastic live shows.

The Vaccines are my band of the year.

Who is your band of the year?

Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Your favourite Beatles Christmas Number 1 is...

2011-12-10T11:10:00.000-08:00

All week you have been voting for your favourite song by The Beatles which has been at the top of the charts at Christmas.

The votes are in and the winner is....

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Coming Next Week...

My top 40 songs of the year

My top 10 albums of the year

Plus my favourite films; bands; festival headliners of the year and more!

Christmas Number 1

2011-12-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I made a poll asking you what your favourite Christmas number one of the noughties is. As it begins to approach that time of year again, the question is: who will be Christmas Number 1 in 2011?

In recent years The X Factor's winning single has gone to the top of the charts at Christmas and no doubt it'll put up a good fight this year.

However, due to a major drop in viewing figures; accusations of fixing the results of the show and a general lack of talent on this years X Factor may mean that it might be defeated this year round like it did in 2009 where a Facebook campaign got Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name to the number 1 at Christmas beating The X Factor.

So what music can you buy to knock it off the top spot?

Well here's a few suggestions:
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
http://www.facebook.com/nirvanaforno1?sk=app_153284594738391&app_data=dlt

The Stone Roses - I Am The Resurrection
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Stone-Roses-I-am-the-Resurrection-to-Xmas-No1/288194141199245

The Military Wives - Wherever You Are
http://www.facebook.com/MilitaryWivesChoir

My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-My-Chemical-Romances-Welcome-to-the-Black-Parade-to-UK-XMAS-number-1/269586823074174?ref=ts

The Beastie Boys - Sabotage
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-the-Beastie-Boys-Sabotage-2011-XMAS-number-1/226409007423236?ref=ts

The Smiths - Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Smiths-Please-Let-Me-Get-What-I-Want-for-Christmas-Number-1/103662109750140?sk=wall

The Bleep Test
http://www.facebook.com/runningrabbits

Also The Wombles and the cast of The Only Way Is Essex both have singles that are contenders for Christmas Number 1.

What is your favourite Christmas number 1 of the noughties?

2011-12-06T13:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas Number 1. It's what any act in the music industry would love to have. Sometimes a Christmas song goes to number 1, sometimes it's a pop song which just so happens to be released that week or something different altogether.

In the noughties (especially in the second half), talent show The X Factor dominated the Christmas number 1 postion five times over the last ten years.

In 2009, however a facebook campaign to get Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name to the top of the charts at Christmas instead of X Factor. They succeeded aswell.

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In 2004 loads of musicians (including the likes of Chris Martin; Bono; Dido; Dizzee Racal and more) were brought together to record a cover of 'Do They Know It's Christmas' for charity.

You can vote for your favourite Christmas Number 1 of the noughties on the poll on the right hand side of the page.

Your favourite version of 'Hallelujah' is...

2011-12-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

You have been voting all week for your favourite version of Leonard Cohen's classic song 'Hallelujah'.
I can try and say it was a close call as much as I like but to be honest it was a one horse race from start to finish.
Your favourite version (and quite rightly so) is...

Jeff Buckley

BBC Sound of 2012

2011-12-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

The BBC Sound list is an important feature for any rising star to be in. In previous years acts such as Jessie J; Ellie Goulding ; Adele and Corrine Bailey Rae went on to win it.

Today list of the shortlisted 15 acts was revealed. The list of up and coming music star showcases the most exciting new acts around.

The list contains British soul acts; indie guitar bands; rappers; dubstep producers and more.

SOUND OF 2012 LONGLIST

A$AP Rocky
Azealia Banks
Dot Rotten
Dry The River
Flux Pavilion
Frank Ocean
Friends
Jamie N Commons
Lianne La Havas
Michael Kiwanuka
Niki & The Dove
Ren Harvieu
Skrillex
Spector
Stooshe

In my opinion the best by far of the acts listed is Frank Ocean. He is as R'n'B singer-songwriter who raps and has a lot of soul in his voice. This year he released the brilliant album 'Nostalgia/Ultra' for free download off his website. Through this he has already proven his amazing talent as a musician.

For the BBC Sound of 2012, I'm backing Frank Ocean. Who are you backing? Let me know by leaving a comment or tweeting me @MWB709

Your Favourite Lady Gaga Song Is....

2011-12-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

All week you have been voting for your favourite song by Lady Gaga via my blog. It was neck and neck between a few and at one point the option that you didn't have a favourite Lady Gaga song was in lead.

However, with 21% of the votes your favourite Lady Gaga song is...

Edge Of Glory

Favourite Beatles Christmas Number 1

2011-12-03T11:12:00.000-08:00

It wasn't always X Factor and cheesy Christmas music at the top of the charts on December 25th.

In the 1960s, The Beatles had four massive singles which went to number 1 at Christmas. Each stayed at the top of the UK Top 40 for at least 5 weeks. You can now vote your favourite Beatles Christmas Number 1 on the right hand side of the page.

Coming soon....
Lots more Christmas blogs and polls aswell as my favourite songs and albums of 2011 + more!

Your favourite Masterpiece is....

2011-12-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Last week, Radio 1 hosted their latest series of Masterpieces where they inducted Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream; Amy Winehouse's Back To Black; Dizzee Rascal's Boy In Da Corner and Oasis's Definitely Maybe.
Throughout this week you have been voting for your favourite of these 4 classic albums.

It was a dead heat between Amy Winehouse and Oasis until today.

But winning the poll by one vote is.....

Oasis - Definitely Maybe

Singles Reviews 30/11/11

2011-11-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

Single Of The Week:

The Wombats - '1996'

88%

The sixth single from The Wombats’ second album ‘This Modern Glitch’ sees them reminiscing about their youth in the 1990’s and specifically 1996 (coincidently the year I was born in). For a band who are often criticised for being a bit silly, the lyrics are incredibly honest. The heavy use of synth and polished production may seem a bit irregular on some of the other tracks the Wombats have released in the last 12 months, but they hit the nail on the head in 1996. The use of guitars in the bridge makes it sound more pure and raw. This song alone could turn a lot of people’s opinions of The Wombats around and they should now be taken seriously as a band. With songs like 1996, they deserve some credit.

Kelly Rowland – 'Down For Whatever'

11%

Previously part of massive girl group ‘Destiny’s Child’ and currently a judge on the X Factor, Kelly Rowland has proven herself to be a qualified music expert. However none of this comes across in her latest single Down For Whatever. With its David Guetta influenced style it is a key example of trash music. There is no real substance to it and could probably be made in a day. The chorus is more annoying than catchy and it uses the same rubbish dance backing track that has been literally used to death recently. Disappointing.

Wu Lyf - 'We Bros'

74%

Although relatively new to the music scene, WU LYF have caused a bit of a stir after a recent interview with NME Magazine where they slated everyone from Arctic Monkeys to Everything Everything. However with a critically acclaimed album under their belt and having won the ‘Best New Act’ award at the Q Awards last month they can afford to be confident. Their new single ‘We Bros’ is the poppiest song they have made due to its fantastic melody where an accessible pop hook is clearly present. The song contains organs and is lead by the singer’s unusual vocals. A decent as well as inventive piece of music.

One Direction – 'Gotta Be You'

19%

Trying for a more mature approach on their second single, Ex-X Factor contestants One Direction have acquired a large fan base since their appearance on the show last year. Sadly the large quantity of fans doesn’t appear to justify this mediocre and quite boring song. The verses don’t seem to have any redeeming features lyrically and vocally. The chorus fails to interest me. By the time the song has finished it leaves me feeling bored. It’s not that it’s painful on the ears, it’s just that it doesn’t make me happy like pop song should do. Don’t believe the hype.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – 'Monarchy Of Roses
56%

They still got the funk. Unfortunately Monarchy Of Roses is not a patch off their best work. The song is quite formulaic and feels as if it has been many times before so there is not much I can say about it. They still know how to deliver a half decent pop song though.

Stay tuned for more Singles Reviews next week.

Hallelujah

2011-11-29T12:45:00.000-08:00

Hallelujah - a classic song. Inspiring, beautiful; probably one of the best songs of all time.

The original by Leonard Cohen has been covered so many times and there is a big argument about which version is the best.
You can have your say by voting for your favourite on the poll on the right hand side of the page.

The Original by Leonard Cohen:

John Cale's version:

Jeff Buckley's version:

Rufus Wainwright's version:

Alexandra Burke's version :

Please vote for your favourite version of the song. If your favourite version isn't on the poll then please leave a comment below telling me which version of Hallelujah you love.

Hospital Radio 2

2011-11-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

Its nearly two months now since I last wrote about me becoming a volunteer at Hospital Radio. Every Tuesday since then I have been helping out for 1.5 hours at the local Hospital Radio. Each week I operate the controls (choosing the next song; lining it up to play then pressing the play button mainly). About 3 weeks in I asked whether it would be possible for me to have a slot in the show where I played the music and I talked. So every week now I have my own 30 minute take over where I play about 6 or 7 songs and talk in between them about the song I am about to play. Each week I choose a certain theme and play 30mins worth of songs which fall into my chosen theme of the night.

The first week my theme was "Songs With A Colour In The Title" and I played:
Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
Clear White Light - Lindisfarm
Charlie Brown - Coldplay
Little Green Apples - Frank Sinatra
Fools Gold - The Stone Roses
Yellow Submarine - The Beatles

The second week my theme was "Weather" and I played:
She's Thunderstorms - Arctic Monkeys
Please Don't Stop The Rain - James Morrison
Snow (Hey Oh) - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks
Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons
Today The Sun's On Us - Sophie Ellis Bextor
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

The third week my theme was "Songs Which Don't Have The Titles In The Lyrics" and I played:
Blue Monday - New Order
Shuffle - Bombay Bicycle Club
Chocolate - Snow Patrol
Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
L.S.F - Mark Ronson feat. Kasabian
A Day In The Life - The Beatles

You'll probably have noticed that I end with a song by The Beatles each week and this week is no exception when my them will be "Songs Which Have Animals In The Title" and I will play:
Black Dog - Led Zeppelin
Superfast Jellyfish - Gorillaz
Elephant Stone - The Stone Roses
Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
She Wolf - Shakira
Albatross - Fleetwood Mac
Octopus's Garden - The Beatles

I will keep you posted on how Hospital Radio is going next month.

Lou Reed & Metallica Album Review

2011-11-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

Lou Reed & Metallica - Lulu

2/10
Having spent more than 40 years in the music industry with The Velvet Underground and by himself as a solo artist; Lou Reed's new venture sees him collaborating with legendary heavy metal band Metallica.

Having heard that these two critically acclaimed artists were joining forces for an entire album sounded great. So I decided to listen to the album in full so I could give you my opinion on a possibly amazing collaboration.

When listening to this album I noticed a few things.

Firstly Metallica still rock. Even though I would not consider myself as a fan metal or Metallica, I have to give them credit where credit is due. The guitar riff in 'Iced Honey' for instance is superb.
Opener 'Brandenburg Gate' has a lovely acoustic start which then leads into Lou Reed's vocals where a problem soon emerges. Lou Reed's singing isn't actually singing. It just sounds like an old man having a rant which then ruins the fantastic chorus of the first track.
This continues throughout the record.
His singing is out of time and out of tune. The bad vocals make the music sound like noise.
Another problem is that it is far too long. It's 87 minutes in length with only 10 songs which means that all the tracks on Lulu seem to drag.

The odd occasion where Metallica singer James Hetfield does sing, is almost a relief from the constant droning of Lou Reed.

The two different artists simply don't gel together well at all

Awful.

Favourite songs : n/a

.

The Best Song By The Smiths is...

2011-11-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

The poll asking people what their favourite Smiths tune has been on my blof for the last week.

It was quite a close result which ended with "How Soon Is Now"; Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want"; There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" and "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" all coming in at tied 2nd place with 4 votes for each.

But with 5 votes the winner is......

This Charming Man

Haha:

Thanks for voting. You can now vote for your favourite album from this year's Radio 1 Masterpiece series on the right hand side of the page.

Masterpieces

2011-11-24T11:53:00.000-08:00

Materpieces 2011

All throughout this week Zane Lowe has played four albums which he believes are bonafied classics. Each day from Monday to Thursday he has played the albums from start to finish starting with Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream on the Monday and ending with Oasis - Definitely Maybe on the Thursday.
Each album is played with no interuptions and no censorships, the way it was inteneded to be heard. The albums are accompanied beforehand with the people who made it (Billy Corgan; Mark Ronson; Dizzee Rascal; Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher) and those who were inspired by it (Mark Hopus from Blink 182; Lady Gaga; Gary Barlow; Florence Welsh; Frank Ocean; Alex Turner; Serge from Kasabian; Richard Ashcroft; Johnny Depp; Paul Weller; Lars from Metallica; Tinie Tempah; Chris Martin; Tinchy Stryder; Wretch 32 and lots more!

You can listen to all these on the BBC iPlayer.
Vote for you favourite Masterpiece album from this series below.

20 Years Ago In Music...

2011-11-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

1991 is not a widely renowned year in terms of music. However if you look at some of the albums released that year, you might take a different stance

Nirvana's classic second album "Nevermind" and Pearl Jam's critically aclaimed album "Ten" were both released that year aswell as Smashing Pumpkins' debut "Gish". These three albums would send alternate rock into the mainstream.

Red Hot Chili Peppers released their fifth album "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" spawning the hit singles "Give It Away"; "Under The Bridge" and "Suck My Kiss".

In November 1991 U2 released arguably their best album with Achtung Baby.

The legendary Creation Records released 3 of the most out there records of the 20 years.
Primal Scream's "Screamadelica" saw a Stones influenced rock band create a gospel acid house masterpiece.
My Bloody Valentine's second album "Loveless" defined the shoegazing genre with its soaring guitars and obscure vocals.
Alt-Rock Scottish band Teenage Fanclub released their third album "Bandwagonesque" in 1991.

Metallica released one of the greatest heavy metal records of all time with "Metallica"(The Black Album) in 1991

Massive Attack released on the greatest British dance records of all time with "Blue Lines"

In February, Queen released their final proper studio album "Innuendo" before lead singer Freddie Mercury died later that year.

So 1991 a great year of music or what?

Best Episode of Later...with Jools Holland ever?

2011-11-20T15:02:00.000-08:00

In April last year I watched Later...with Jools Holland in awe of some amazing talent.
Firstly Gorillaz performed songs off their third album "Plastic Beach"

They brought an array of guest stars including soul legend Bobby Womack who performed a song with Jools Holland:

Laura Marling also performed tracks off her Mercury Prize nominated second album "I Speak Because I Can":

Bobby McFerrin (they guy who did "Don't Worry Be Happy") also gave an incredible performance:

And finally The Drive By Truckers who messed it up:

Best song off Mylo Xyloto is...

2011-11-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

Over the last seven days I have had a poll in which people could vote for their favourite song off the new Coldplay album. The results are in and I can announce that "Charlie Brown" had the majority vote.

You can now vote for your favourite song by "The Smiths" on the right hand side of the page.
Also please read my review of "Mylo Xyloto" on my blog.

Coming Soon...

2011-11-14T15:32:00.000-08:00

Over the next month I will be doing lots more singles reviews and maybe an album review (any suggestions would be great).

This weekend hopefully i will write a review of the Arctic Monkeys live in Nottingham last month.

Next month i will reveal my favourite 40 songs of the year and my favourite 5 albums of the year aswell!

Stay tuned...